Our School and Building Engineers and their staff work to keep employees and students safe.  However, incidents and injuries are an unfortunate part of the workplace. You cannot lose your job because you reported an incident or if you are injured at work.  Please refer to the information below that is designated for the Union you are a member of  for more detailed information regarding benefits available to you while out on Workers’ Compensation.

Please be sure to view the information below for safety tips and what to do if an injury does occur. The directive is given to ensure that your claim is processed correctly and that your wages can be paid on time.

Safety of staff and students - District Resources

🛑STOP 🛑 and read the instructions carefully when completing the accident forms.

You MUST check the box(es) for the applicable body parts that are injured.

EX. Leg - Right, Left or Both (the box(es) MUST be checked to indicate what body part and what side of the body).

If the accident form is missing information OR it is filled out incorrectly, it will delay the processing time for your claim.

Personal Accident Form - To be completed by the employee who experienced the incident

Witness Accident Form - To be completed by ALL individuals who were a witness to the incident.

Upon completion of the personal accident form and (if applicable) witness accident form, these will automatically be electronically routed to the WC Office, which will contact your Supervisor and our Third Party Administrator (PMA).  Once processed by the WC Office, a claim number will be sent directly to you via email. 

If you are injured at work it is always advisable to seek medical attention immediately. You will not be charged with the time off on the date of injury. Future appointments require the use of your own accruals unless your doctor disables you from work. 

If you need help finding a Health Care Provider who is authorized by the Workers' Compensation Board to treat injured workers, please consider one of the PMA partners: WC Providers in WNY.  This list is not a complete list of WC providers, and injured workers are encouraged to consider other potential providers to meet their medical needs.  

You are greatly encouraged to read the Related Files below: Workers' Compensation Basic Guide and Guide for Workers' Compensation Claims to better understand your rights and the process for treatment, equipment, and time off from work associated with a workplace injury.

It is important that as you transition back to work after a workplace injury, that you feel safe and supported.

You MUST provide a return to work release from your physician BEFORE you return to work.

If you are released to return with restrictions, we will work in collaboration with Human Resources and your Supervisor to evaluate and assess if those restrictions can be accommodated. We want to ensure a safe and confident return to work for you. As permitted by law, the District can assign "light duty".

If you wish to exercise your right to legal representation, hiring legal representation is optional and therefore, the Buffalo City School District is not responsible for your legal fees.  If there is money awarded in your case, your attorney fees may be deducted from that award and paid directly to your attorney by the insurance carrier.  If there is not a money award in your case, your attorney fees shall be deducted from your sick time accruals, or you will be responsible for paying the attorney fee out of pocket.   

If you have any further questions, please email our Workers' Comp team or call the Workers' Compensation Desk at 816-3936.